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Top faculty designation, awards announced by Heather Murphy Public Relations Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost John Raymond, M.D., announced the recipients of the 2002 Distinguished Faculty Service Awards and the recipient of MUSC’s highest academic designation of Distinguished University Professor. These awards, along with others including Teaching Excellence and Outstanding Clinician awards, will be presented during the annual Faculty Convocation on Aug. 26. Dr. Maria Buse Maria Buse, M.D., is the first woman in MUSC’s 179-year history to receive the honor of Distinguished University Professor.  The Distinguished University Professor Committee of the MUSC Board of Trustees recognized Buse for her outstanding scholarship. Her accomplishments include 150 publications, nearly 50 years of continuous funding from the National Institutes of Health, dedicated mentorship, training scores of physicians and scientists, and her numerous research awards, including the Albert Renold Award from the American Diabetes Association.  Also noted was her founding of the nuclear medicine field, and with her husband co-founding the endocrinology field in South Carolina. “The committee was impressed by the love and admiration she’s earned from her trainees and colleagues,” Raymond said. “She’s affected so many lives and careers in profound and positive ways. We are truly privileged to have someone like Maria who contributes so much to society as a member of our faculty.” “I am deeply honored to be awarded this designation, although I can think of several past and present female faculty members who were as or more deserving in their service to the university,” Buse said. “I hope to represent them as best I can. My late husband, John F. Buse, M.D., was a major contributor to and an inspiration for all our endeavors, especially in the training, mentoring and nurturing of students and fellows. In my thoughts, I share this honor with him and will try to live up to it in my continuing work at MUSC.” MUSC Distinguished Faculty Service Awards are given annually to faculty members who achieve unique and exemplary levels of excellence in university service during academic careers.  These individuals provide exceptional and sustained service and contributions in teaching, research, health care, and public service to the university and South Carolinians. The recipients for the 2002 awards are Barbara Haight, Dr.PH., and Rosalie Crouch, Ph.D.  “Drs. Haight and Crouch epitomize sustained commitment to MUSC scholarship, and mentorship of our students, faculty and staff. We are fortunate that they have given so much to us over the years,” Raymond said. Crouch was recognized for 28 years of service, her willingness to assume multiple leadership roles, her commitment to MUSC students, service on 55 graduate student committees, and sustaining a program in vision research characterized by 200 publications, 20 years of continuous NIH funding and recognition by the National Eye Institute and Research to Prevent Blindness. Dr. Rosalie Crouch “Her students have repeatedly recognized her for the quality of education they received,” said Craig Crosson, Ph.D., Storm Eye Institute vice chairman. “Their greatest compliment of Dr. Crouch has always been and continues to be the effort she puts in along with her concern for the growth of each individual student. Our future achievements are built on foundations created by Dr. Crouch and her contributions. I cannot think of a person more deserving of this award.” “I am so very honored to have received this award. The most rewarding thing that a scientist can do is to instill the love of discovery in others,” Crouch said. “I am privileged to have worked with so many fine young students and postdoctoral fellows, and am so very proud of their many achievements.” Haight was recognized for more than 20 years of service, consisting of teaching excellence, scholarly contributions, numerous administrative positions within the College of Nursing, and establishing the effectiveness of life review in treating depression and suicide in older adults. Dr. Barbara Haight “Dr. Haight is clearly an outstanding teacher,” said Barbara Edlund, Ph.D., R.N. “Her teaching evaluations have been remarkable over the years and her love for gerontology is contagious. Many a student has elected to pursue gerontology because of Dr. Haight.” “It is impossible to reflect upon the outstanding qualities in Dr. Haight without mentioning what a wonderful human being she is,” said Jean D’Meza Leuner, Ph.D., R.N. “She is generous with her time, always listens, is inclusive, non-judgmental, and supportive in all that she does with anyone and everyone. Her dedication to the university and the College of Nursing is extraordinary.” “I’m honored that my colleagues in the College of Nursing think so highly of me,” Haight said. “ I know in my heart that any achievement cannot be accomplished without the support and efforts of fellow faculty and devoted family who encourage and help at each juncture of one’s career. My heartfelt thanks goes out to each of them.” Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to petersnd@musc.edu or catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Community Press at 849-1778.